FYI Note from Eric Isaacs: Grand Challenges for Molecular and Materials Design and Discovery (M2D2) INTRODUCTION The Argonne Strategic planning process has identified Molecular and Materials Design and Discovery (M2D2) as both a core function and a growth opportunity that the laboratory will develop as part of its overall strategic plan. Over the past several weeks many of you have participated in meetings that were critical in making the case that M2D2 should indeed play this role. Your efforts have paid off, and now is the time to take the next step -- a science- focused step -- by proposing and developing a few "Big Ideas" for which M2D2 will play an essential role. M2D2 is built on the concept that we are ready to move beyond 'trial and error' design of molecules and materials, that the time is right to integrate world class theory/modeling/computation and in-situ synthesis/growth/characterization tools in ways that have not been possible before. We would like to get your ideas on the best ways to move this concept forward. These should be big ideas that go beyond incremental steps. They can address the major lab strategies, but we do not want to limit the scope to these topics M2D2 will naturally move the major laboratory strageties forward, but we envision it as a place to go outside these boundares for discovery science and for future laboratory strategic opportunities ---- "blue skies" ideas are welcome. PRESENTATION OF IDEAS To get the ball rolling, we will hold a open meeting on Monday, May 18 from 10:00 - 12:00 in Building 212, Room A-157. We want a lively, interactive gathering with discussion of ideas you present. Please feel free to share this email with your colleagues; anyone is welcome to attend the meeting. Bring 1-2 vugraphs to present your idea to the group. You should present the 'big picture' - the compelling idea, the opportunity, scope, etc. You should explain what the science and/or technology target is, who the players will be (i.e., size of team to be successful), and how M2D2 is essential to its success. Ideally, you should explain how your idea depends on and impacts the three aspects of M2D2: synthesis itself, the science of molecular and/or materials synthesis (ie. in situ growth probes) and the theoretical and/or computational design of these materials or molecules. You should outline the scope of required funding and and an idea of how long it will take to achieve the goals. Finally, you should also convey why Argonne is the right place for this activity - specific ANL capabilities needed - as well as outside resources/partners. Concepts can and should embrace the full spectrum from fundamental research to use-inspired science. We encourage ideas from any area and along any theme, but some suggestions could include: Beyond Li-ion technology for electrical energy storage Novel thermoelectrics Transparent Conducting Oxides Controlled Synthesis of Metastable Phases Ultracapacitors Oxide electronics Quantum Computing Bio-inspired catalysts CO2 removal by reactions or sequestration Solar Factory -- direct solar to chemical energy conversion Superconductivity Self-fabricating, Self-replicaing, and Self-repairing materials Nuclear waste sequestration Computational Design of Materials Please do not consider this a closed list; we expect and hope for other excellent topics and ideas not mentioned above. EVALUATION PROCESS An advisory group will discuss the ideas and evaluate them based on balance between fundamental and use-inspired science, diversity across laboratory activities, relevance to the M2D2 concept, appropriateness of the team, and potential for growth. We will select a few of them for follow-on discussions in consultation with the ANL Strategic Planning Team. As a core competency and with close alignment to ANL strategic directions, these M2D2 activities should be well positioned for funding opportunities and should receive the full support of the laboratory at all levels. I hope that you will take up this challenge, engage yourselves and others in your area and from other parts of the laboratory, and submit the grass-roots ideas that we need. We look forward to hearing a wide range of exciting concepts at the meeting and thank you in advance for your help in defining the compelling science and technology directions that M2D2 will both lead and enable at Argonne. Best regards, Eric ----------------------------------------- Ray Bair Computing, Environment, and Life Sciences Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago Building 221, Room B215 9700 South Cass Avenue Argonne, IL 60439 email: rbair(at)anl.gov Phone: (630)252-5751 On 5/12/09 11:04 AM, "Rick Stevens" <[email protected]> wrote: Ray do you have some thoughts on this? Is there a blurb on the M2D2? Begin forwarded message: From: Benoit Roux <[email protected]> Date: May 12, 2009 8:57:36 AM CDT To: Rick Stevens <[email protected]> Subject: M2D2 Hi Rick you must know about the Grand Challenges for Molecular and Materials Design and Discovery (M2D2) and the meeting this next Monday. I will participate, but it would help me if you had a few minutes to chat about this between now and friday. We can talk on the phone. Thanks. Benoit ----------------------------------------- Ray Bair Computing, Environment, and Life Sciences Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago Building 221, Room B215 9700 South Cass Avenue Argonne, IL 60439 email: rbair(at)anl.gov Phone: (630)252-5751